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Kookaburra - Posted - 12/21/2022: 16:14:50
Hi, I just acquired a fretless S.S. Stewart banjo. It is serial number 3821. 12” pot and 19” from nut to pot.
I don’t think the pegs are original and wonder about the tailpiece, any thoughts?
It had what I think were nylguts on it but they were so thick I couldn’t tune it up properly and when I took them off they barely came out of the nut. It now has Labella 17s and sounds very nice.
I hope the attached photo is actually attached?
G Edward Porgie - Posted - 12/21/2022: 18:27:01
PLEASE, more pictures! What do you mean by "PEGS?" Are you referring to the tuners or something else?
I don't think the tailpiece is original, but I'm no Stewart expert.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 12/21/2022: 19:18:39
The tailpiece looks like a British tailpiece that often had "The Grip" stamped on it.
"Pegs" was common 19th century vernacular for "tuners".
Kookaburra - Posted - 12/21/2022: 20:56:18
Here are some more photos
Kookaburra - Posted - 12/21/2022: 21:05:35
Ok so this might work. Thoroughbred # 17525 and Fretless #3821
Kookaburra - Posted - 12/21/2022: 21:12:11
Fretless 3821
Kookaburra - Posted - 12/21/2022: 21:23:36
HI Joel,
the banjo came from Melbourne, Australia. I have no idea of its provenance but in Stewart's journal there are some letters from Australian banjo fraternities and teachers so a British tailpiece is not beyond the realms of possibility. I live in Australia so getting a Stewart banjo without customs and overseas extortionate freight and delays is a bonus. Finding a fretless also seems to be a challenge.
There is no tag or identification of the type of banjo it is. What would you describe it as?
Cheers
Kookaburra
Joel Hooks - Posted - 12/22/2022: 05:57:02
quote:
Originally posted by Kookaburra
HI Joel,
the banjo came from Melbourne, Australia. I have no idea of its provenance but in Stewart's journal there are some letters from Australian banjo fraternities and teachers so a British tailpiece is not beyond the realms of possibility. I live in Australia so getting a Stewart banjo without customs and overseas extortionate freight and delays is a bonus. Finding a fretless also seems to be a challenge.
There is no tag or identification of the type of banjo it is. What would you describe it as?
Cheers
Kookaburra
Orchestra #2. Technically it is not "fretless", it has "professional frets". Professional frets are the side dots at every position. While it does not have raised frets, it still has a form of frets.
Pegs were most likely white celluloid. The ebony are fine, just be glad someone did not put heavy planetary tuners on it.
